Electrical heating unit



Dec. 18, 1962 c. s. GARDNER ELECTRICAL HEATING UNIT Filed Jan. 30, 1959 a 0 2 4 4 0 6 6 7 4 MW 8 6 6 x 6 4 h m 6 0L 4 w 34 8 y a. 5 9 H 4 a m 0 2/ w M F e Char/es .S. GUM 7 1N VEN TOR.

3 ,069,528 Patented Dec. 18, 1962 This application is a continuation-in-part of the applicants pending application Serial No. 750,285, filed July 21, 1958, now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to heating means and more particularly to an electrical heating unit particularly adapted to be utilized in combination with pressure discharge cans.

In view of the fact that a better and more comfortable shave is obtained when the skin has been heated and the pores are accordingly open, barbers generally apply hot towels to the face before applying shaving cream thereto. In recent years, devices have been developed for heating the shaving cream before utilizing it. Utilization of these devices has proved to be extremely satisfactory. Though the devices of the prior art are well adapted to the frequent usage given them in the normal course of barber shop business, the devices are generally too expensive and cumbersome for them to be widely accepted for use in the home. In recent years, the home-user has adopted to a large extent the popular pressure discharge cans for satisfying his shaving cream needs. These cans are of necessity under pressure from within and accordingly cannot safely be heated to heat the contents thereof. Clearly, it would be advantageous if a device could be developed which would enable the user of pressure discharge cans to heat the contents thereof. Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a novel heating unit particularly adapted for utilization with conventional pressure discharge cans for heating the discharged contents thereof.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel heating unit which may be conveniently and efficiently utilized with conventional pressure discharge cans wherein automatic electrical heating means are utilized to heat the contents of the can as the contents is discharged through the conventional tubular discharge nozzle.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a novel heating unit which is inexpensive to manufacture due to its relatively simple construction.

In accordance with the above stated objects below is particularly described the construction and method of utilization of the novel heating unit comprising this invention. conventionally, pressure discharge cans have tubular discharge nozzles which are threaded to accommodate a cap thereover. The invention contemplates the removal of the cap and the substitution of the heating attachment. Initially, the heating unit includes a conical plastic shell defining an open volume therein. A boss fixed to the base of the conical shell projects into the volume. The boss includes a threaded passage therethrough which communicates the volume within the shell with the exterior surface of the shell. Threadedly engaged with the threaded passage through the boss is the conventional threaded discharge nozzle of the conventional pressure discharge can. Aligned with the passage through the boss is a ceramic tubular member which extends upwardly toward the apex of the conical shell where it terminates in an aperture in the shell. Accordingly, it may be seen that a discharge path from the can is provided through the conventional discharge nozzle, and the ceramic tubular member. An electrical heating resistance is concentrically carried on the ceramic tubular member and electrical conductors extend from the heating resistance for energization by any electrical source. A

mercury switch is electrically serially connected to the heating resistance. In the upright position of the can, the mercury switch is open. Conventionally, it is necessary to turn the can upside down in order to open the cans valve to discharge the contents thereof through the discharge nozzle. When the can is inverted, the mercury switch closes and electrical energy is supplied to the heating resistance to instantaneously cause heat therefrom to be transmitted to the ceramic tubular member and the passage defined therethrough. Accordingly, the discharge from the can passing through the ceramic tubular member will be heated prior to emerging from the unit. In the upright position, the mercury switch is of course open so the heating resistance is normally not energized. Of course, the invention contemplates the utilization of appropriate insulative means throughout the device for protecting the user against electrical shock therefrom. Still further, it is to be noted that the tubular member is spaced from the wall of the shell so a circulatory air pas-' sage is defined around the ceramic tubular member and heating resistance. Of course, it is contemplated that the attachment may be utilized with any type of discharge device and it is not desired to confine patent protection to utilization with a shaving cream pressure discharge can.

Other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational front view of the invention utilized with a conventional pressure discharge can;

FIGURE'Z is a plan view of the heating unit comprising this invention properly mounted on a conventional discharge can;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane 3-3 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane 44 of FIGURE 3.

With continuing reference to the drawings and initial reference to FIGURE 1, the numeral 10 generally represents a conventional pressure discharge can which may, for instance, be utilized for shaving cream. A discharge nozzle 12 is supported by the can 10 and affords a discharge passage so that the contents within the can 10 may emerge therefrom. A valve (not shown) is urged into its normally closed position by spring 14 abutting flange 16 on discharge nozzle 12. In the conventional usage of the pressure discharge can 10, the can 10 is inverted and finger pressure is applied on the discharge nozzle 12, against the spring pressure of spring 14, to open the normally closed valve (not shown). The pressure within the can 10 will then force the contents thereof outwardly through the pressure discharge nozzle 12. Upon the release of finger pressure from the discharge nozzle 12, the spring 14 will carry the discharge nozzle 12 back to its normal position relative to can 10, thereby closing the valve (not shown). Conventionally, threads 18 are provided on the exterior surface of discharge nozzle 12 for receiving a cap thereon.

In accordance with the teachings of this invention, a

heating attachment 2.0 is provided and includes a conical shell 22 having a base portion 24 fixed therein. contemplated that the shell be made of an insulative material such as plastic. A tubular boss is integrally formed with the base 24 and extends upwardly toward the apex sjoeasa charge can are threadedly engaged with the lower portion 30 of the boss passage.

An insulative washer 34 is fixed in the upper portion 28 of the boss passage and is seated on shoulder 32.

A ceramic tubular member 36 is received in the insulative washer 34 so .that it is of course aligned with the discharge nozzle 12. The conical shell 22 is truncated proximate the apex thereof and an insulative washer 40 is. fixed within an aperture 42 in the shell 22. The washer 40 is seated on the annular shoulder 44. The ceramic tubular member 36 terminates in the washer 40 and accordingly, it is apparent that a discharge path is provided from the can 10 through the discharge nozzle 12, through the ceramic tubular member 36.

An electrical resistance 46 is wound about the ceramic tubular member 36. It is contemplated that the resistance 46 be of Nichrome for efiicient rapid heating. A pair of electrical conductors 48 and 50 are knotted as at 49- and bound together by a plastic sleeve 52 and received through an opening 56 in the base 24 of the shell 22. Sealing compound 51 along with plastic sleeve 52 seals the opening 56 while the knot 49 prevents the conductors 48v and 50 from being pulled from their internal connections. The electrical conductor 48 is electrically connected to the heating resistance 46 as at 58 while the electrical: conductor 52 is electrically connected to a first terminal 60 of a mercury switch 62. The mercury switch 62 is glued and taped by tape 64 to the boss 26 so that the mercury switch is normally open. The second terminal 66 of the mercury switch 62 is electrically connected to the heating resistance 46 at 68. It is to be noted that the mercury pool 70 of mercury switch 62 is remote from the terminals 60 and 66 in the position illustrated in FIGURE 3. It will be apparent that upon inverting the unit 20, the mercury pool 79 will flow to a position so as to electrically bridge the terminals 69 and 66. The electrical conductors 48 and 50 may be therefore permanently connected to an electrical energy source.

It. is further. contemplated that an electrically insulative sleeve or coating 75 be utilized outwardly of the heating resistance 46 so as to aid in properly positioning the turns of the heating resistance coil 46 to prevent the shorting of turns thereof and to further direct heat therefrom toward the ceramic tubular member 36.

It is further contemplated that the central passage defined in the ceramic tubular member 36 include perpendicular paths 74 and 76. As illustrated in FIGURE 4, by constructing the cross-section as shown, a plurality of surfaces are presented to the contents discharged through the. ceramic tubular member 36. Accordingly, improved heat dissipation or distribution to the contents results therefrom.

In thev utilization of this invention, the user places the heating unit on the conventional discharge nozzle 12 of the can 10 by threadedly engaging the lower portion of the passage through the boss 26 with the threads 18 of the discharge nozzle 12. As noted above, the electrical conductors 43 and 50 may be left connected to a'conventional electrical outlet or receptacle. The normally open mercury switch 62 prevents any electricityifrom flowing through the conductors 48' and 50 through the heating resistance 46. In norm-ally utilizing the pressure discharge cap 10, the user need simply invert the can 16 and apply finger pressure to the discharge nozzle 12. With incorporation of the attachment comprising thisinvention, the method of utilization would be identical. That is, upon inverting the can 10, the pool of'rnercury will bridge the electrical terminals 60 and 66 so as to provide an electrical current through theheating resistance 46 so that when the valve of the can 10 is open to cause the contents to be discharged through the discharge nozzle 12'and the ceramic tubular member 36, heat will be dissipated, into the perpendicular passages 74'and 76 discharge cans comprising a tubular member defining a i 4 v to the contents passing through the ceramic tubular member.

Upon experimentation, it has been found that significant temperatures may be given to the discharged contents despite the minimum amount of time it takes the contents to pass through the ceramic tubular member 36 and heating resistance 46. It has further been found that the residual heat of the device has a cleaning effect so that the passages 74 and 76 defined in the tubular member 36 do not become clogged. The volume defined between the tubular member 36 and the shell 22 provides an air passage so that the unit 20 will rapidly lose its heat after usage. Also, the air spaces provided prevent the shell 22 from becoming too hot when the device is being used.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A heating attachment for utilization with pressure discharge cans comprising a tubular member defining a central passage, heating means carried by said tubular member adjacent said central passage for distributing heat thereto, said heating means including an electrical resistance, said resistance concentrically wound around said tubular member, a shell having an enclosing wall defining a volume therein, said tubular member fixed in said shell spaced from said enclosing wall, a boss in said shell fixed to the wall thereof, a passage through said boss terminating on a first end in said volume and on a second end externally of said shell, said central passage in said tubular member aligned with said passage through said boss, an aperture in said shell, said central passage in said tubular member terminating in said aperture switch means fixed to said shell and connected in series with said resistance,

ieans automatically operating said switch when, the angular position of said attachment relative to the earth is varied.

2. A heating attachment for utilization with pressure discharge cans comprising a tubular member defining a central passage, heating means carried by said tubular member adjacent said central passage for distributing heat thereto, said heating means including an electrical resistance, said resistance concentrically wound around said tubular member, a shell having an enclosing wall defining a volume therein, said tubular member fixed in said shell spaced from said enclosing wall, a boss in said shell fixed to the wall thereof, a passage through said boss terminat-v ing on one end in said volume and on a second end externally of said shell, said central passage in said tubular member aligned with said passage through said boss, an aperture in said shell, said central passage in said tubular member terminating in said aperture, and a gravity responsive mercury switch serially connected to said electrical resistance'and fixed to said attachment.

3. A heating attachment for utilization with pressure central passage, heating means carried by said tubular member adjacent said central passage for distributing heat thereto, ,said heating means including an electrical resisttance, said resistance concentrically Wound around said tubular member, a shell having an enclosing wall defining a volume therein, said tubular member fixed in said shell spaced from said enclosing 'wall, a boss in said shell fixed to the wall thereof, a passage through said boss terminating ori 'one end in said volume and on a second end externally of said shell, said central passage in said tubular member aligned with said passage through said boss, 'an' aperture in said shell, said central passage in said tubulartending into said central passage, gravity responsive switch means connected in series with said resistance and fixed in relation to said tubular member.

4. A heating attachment for utilization With pressure discharge cans comprising a tubular member defining a central passage, heating means carried by said tubular member adjacent said central passage for distributing heat thereto, said heating means including an electrical resistance, said resistance concentrically wound around said tubular member, a shell having an enclosing wall defining a volume therein, said tubular member fixed in said shell spaced from said enclosing wall, a boss in said shell fixed to the wall thereof, a passage through said boss terminating on one end in said volume and on a second end externally of said shell, said central passage in said tubular member aligned with said passage through said boss, an aperture in said shell, said central passage in said tubular member terminating in said aperture, and a gravity operated mercury switch serially connected to said electrical resistance and fixed in relation to said tubular member, said central passage through said tubular member con- :taining a plurality of irregular surfaces for facilitating heat distribution thereto, said shell having a conical shape, said boss positioned adjacent the base thereof, said aperture positioned adjacent the apex thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

